Olomana Trail

Trail Overview

Distance: 3.8 miles round trip to Peak 1 | 4.7 miles for all three peaks
Elevation Gain: 1,550 feet to Peak 1
Difficulty: Peak 1: Strenuous/Extremely Difficult | Peaks 2-3: Technical Class 4-5 Climbing
Time: 1.5-2 hours to Peak 1 | 3-6 hours for all peaks
Dogs: Not allowed
Fees: Free
Trailhead: Loop Road, Royal Hawaiian Golf Club, Kailua

CRITICAL SAFETY WARNING

Six hikers have died on this trail since 2011. A sign at the trailhead lists each fatality by date and location. All deaths occurred after Peak 1, with most between peaks 2 and 3. Honolulu EMS Director Jim Ireland compares this to "a double black diamond ski slope" and warns: "There are no second chances on Olomana. Some spots are only as wide as your foot."

DO NOT hike if:

• Raining or rained in past 24 hours (muddy conditions = deadly)
• You lack technical scrambling experience
• You have fear of heights or exposed ridges
• You're a first-time Oahu visitor without local trail experience
• Weather looks questionable (afternoon storms move in fast)

Recent erosion has made this trail worse. Ridgelines are thinner, more exposed. Hawaiian volcanic rock is waterlogged and crumbly—rocks break loose easily. Unmaintained ropes (placed by hikers, not officials) could be years old, tied to loose roots, or internally frayed. Never trust ropes without testing. Multiple hikers report ropes breaking.

Strong Recommendation: Turn Around at Peak 1

Peak 1 offers the best views—360-degree panoramas of Kailua, Waimanalo, Kaneohe Bay, and Ko'olau Mountain Range. You see peaks 2 and 3 in the foreground. Peak 1 is the highest of the three, making peaks 2-3 purely adrenaline, not better views. Continuing to peaks 2-3 should only be attempted by advanced climbers with technical experience. If questioning your skills, the answer is no.

Parking & Access

NO designated parking lot. Parking tickets issued frequently.

Where to Park:

• Auloa Road near Loop Road intersection, off Pali Highway
• Do NOT park on asphalt sidewalk—even one tire touching = ticket
• Arrive early (6:00 AM) for limited spots

Walk 0.75-0.8 miles (15-20 min) on paved Loop Road to trailhead. Pass Royal Hawaiian Golf Club guard station (legal, allowed). Trailhead marked by sign on left side of Loop Road.

Car Break-ins: Extremely common. Hide ALL valuables or hike with them. Never leave keys, wallets, passports, electronics—even hidden. Rental cars are primary targets.

Directions: From Honolulu, take Pali Highway (HI-61) toward Kailua. Turn onto Auloa Road, park near Loop Road intersection.

The Hike to Peak 1

Mile 0-0.5: Trail begins under dense canopy of kukui nut and guava trees. Immediately muddy with exposed tree roots. East Oahu's heavy rainfall makes lower section perpetually muddy. Red dirt stains permanently—bring plastic bag for shoes. At 0.3 miles, turn RIGHT at the only fork (easy to miss on return).

Mile 0.5-1.0: Steep climb through brief pine forest. Real elevation gain begins: 1,550 feet over 1.5 miles. Terrain increasingly rocky with scrambling. Tree roots provide handholds/footholds.

Mile 1.0-1.5: First rope appears around mile 1. More ropes as trail steepens. Test each rope before using. Use three points of contact when climbing (two feet + one hand, or two hands + one foot).

Final Pitch: Most intimidating section before summit: nearly vertical 20-foot ascent with multiple ropes. Many turn back here—perfectly reasonable decision. Requires rock climbing skills. If uncomfortable, don't proceed—down is harder than up. After vertical section, ridge narrows dramatically with steep drop-offs both sides.

Summit: Peak 1 delivers spectacular 360-degree views: Kailua Beach/Lanikai east, Kaneohe Bay north, Ko'olau cliffs west, Waimanalo coast south. Peaks 2-3 jut dramatically in foreground. Sunrise paints Ko'olau cliffs golden—one of Oahu's best sunrise hikes.

Beyond Peak 1 (Advanced Climbers Only)

Descent from Peak 1 toward Peak 2 is steep/exposed. Ridge between peaks 2-3 is where most deaths occurred: knife-edge ridges (single footstep width), sheer 200-400 foot drop-offs both sides, technical Class 4-5 scrambling, crumbly rock, extremely limited error room. If not an experienced technical climber who regularly scrambles on exposed terrain, do not attempt. Views not significantly better than Peak 1, danger exponentially increases.

What to Bring

Essential: Hiking boots with aggressive tread (not running shoes), 2-3L water per person, sunscreen/hat, snacks, charged phone, first aid kit, headlamp (sunrise starts), plastic bag for muddy shoes.

Recommended: Satellite emergency device (Garmin InReach/SPOT) for SOS—cell service spotty, lightweight gloves for ropes, camera.

Best Time to Hike

Time: Start sunrise or early morning (6:00-7:00 AM). Afternoon thunderstorms common (especially summer), move fast. Rain transforms trail from dangerous to deadly. Ridge offers minimal shade, midday heat brutal.

Season: Year-round, but May-September (trade winds) brings consistent morning weather. November-March has more rain. Check hourly forecast—if rain predicted during hike, reschedule.

Sunrise: Peak 1 offers phenomenal sunrise. Start 45 min before sunrise with headlamp. First light hitting Ko'olau cliffs unforgettable.

Cultural & Geological Significance

"Olomana" means "divided hill" in Hawaiian. Legend: Olomana was giant warrior ruling windward Oahu from Kualoa to Makapu'u. King ʻAhuapau sent warrior Palila to battle Olomana; Palila cut the giant in half. Upper body fell into ocean near Kaneohe Bay, lower half became Mount Olomana. Three peaks named Olomana (first), Paku'i (second), Ahiki (third).

Geologically, Olomana is erosional remnant from Ko'olau Volcano's caldera. Jagged peaks remain after millions of years of erosion.

Nearby Safer Alternatives

• Lanikai Pillbox Trail: Spectacular coastal views, safer, 1.8 mi RT
• Maunawili Falls Trail: Waterfall hike, moderate, 3 mi RT
• Koko Crater Trail: Challenging stairs, safer, panoramic views
• Diamond Head: Most accessible summit, paved, 1.6 mi RT

Final Thoughts

Olomana offers stunning ridge hiking with life-or-death consequences. Six families lost loved ones in the past decade, including experienced hikers and a Honolulu firefighter. Trail continues eroding, becoming more dangerous yearly. If hiking, check weather obsessively, turn around at first rain sign, don't rely on ropes, use three points of contact. Strongly consider turning at Peak 1—views are incredible, you'll return safely. Social media photos aren't worth your life.

Emergency: Call 911. Helicopter rescues common but costly/dangerous for teams.